PCC seeks your views on funding for Frontline Policing

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has launched her annual consultation on Police funding, asking local people if they would be willing to pay a little more to protect Frontline Policing. The consultation follows the Government's announcement last week which confirmed Merseyside would receive an extra ₤23m in direct grant to cover the costs of recruiting 200 new Officers in 2020, including providing items such as:- uniforms, vehicles, and additional office space and infrastructure as promised by the Prime Minister. However, the Government have not provided any additional money to cover the increase in the Force's day to day running costs, in particular 2019's pay rise. Instead Ministers expect Police and Crime Commissioner to raise the Local Council Tax to cover such costs to ensure the budget can be balanced for the next financial year. The increase in Council Tax would see the majority of householders on Merseyside, those living in a Band A household; pay an extra 13p per week or ₤6.67 a year. This would generate an extra ₤4.8m for Merseyside Police for the year ahead.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "It is my duty to ensure Merseyside Police has the resources to protect you and serve our communities. In recent years this has been difficult and the Government have cut their financial support to Police Forces. During austerity Merseyside Police had its funding reduced by the Government every year, leading to the loss of more than 1,100 Officers and many departments being cut to the bone. This has led to a greater reliance on the money Local Council Taxpayers contribute. The funding settlement that has been announced shows that the Government has listened to Police and Crime Commissioners, Police leaders, trade unions and staff associations and finally recognised the damage they have done with 10 years of cuts to Policing. However, funding pressures still exist and even with the Officers promised by the Prime Minister, Merseyside Police will still be short of the number we had in 2010. If I don't take the opportunity to increase the Police precept, as expected by central Government, Merseyside Police will be left struggling to cover the inflationary pressures it faces, such as meeting the increased pay for Officers approved last year. I have launched this snap survey to get the feedback of local residents. This is a chance for local people to voice their views and say if they would be willing to support an increase of 13p a week to protect Frontline Policing. This increase would give the Chief Constable an extra ₤4.8m to Police Merseyside. It does not compare to what we have lost, but it is essential if the Chief Constable is to keep up with the increasing demands he faces. I am keenly aware of the impact on local people of an increase to their Council Tax and I will be taking the public's opinion into account when I make my final decision."

Since 2010 Merseyside Police has had to make cuts of ₤110m. In that time, the size of the organisation has reduced by a quarter, with 1,120 fewer Police Officers now patrolling the Region's streets. People are invited to have their say through a short online survey available online, until midnight, on Thursday, 6 February 2019. Anyone who wants to receive a paper copy of the survey can telephone:- 0151 777 5155 and 1 will be posted out.

₤2000 worth of luggage stolen on train to Wigan

BRITISH Transport Police, on 31 January 2020, released CCTV images after luggage was stolen, containing property worth more than ₤2000, on a train to Wigan. The incident was are told happened at around 9.45pm, on Friday, 20 December 2020. The luggage contained a Yamaha clarinet, valued at ₤1,000, a laptop and a number of Transformers figures. Officers would like to speak to the man in the image who was pictured at Wigan North Western Station. They believe he has information that could help their investigation. The man was then seen to board a service heading towards Liverpool Lime Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact the British Transport Police by texting:- '61016' or by calling them on:- 0800405040. In both cases, you are asked to quote the reference number:- '1900109761.' Alternatively, you can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

Vets warning, as vomiting condition spreads throughout the UK

VETS are warning dog owners to remain calm, but vigilant, as an unusually high number of cases of gastroenteritis, specifically with profuse vomiting, is being seen in dogs across the UK. Cases of the condition, which causes acute, profuse vomiting, lethargy and diarrhoea, has recently affected dogs in various areas of the UK, from Oxford to Liverpool. National veterinary group, Vets4Pets, has noticed a spike in cases across its practices within recent weeks, and is now offering advice to owners on what signs to look out for and the best next steps to take if they think their dog has contracted the virus.

Dr Samantha Butler Davies, vet and veterinary clinical services manager at Vets4Pets, said:- "Our vets across the UK have reported a general increase in cases of this condition, so we need to make dog owners aware of what signs they should be looking out for. Affected dogs are vomiting a lot more frequently than is typically seen with canine gastroenteritis. The frequency and persistence of the vomiting is quite unusual, and so it makes cases stand out. In some cases, dogs have been vomiting profusely for up to 5 days, with 5 or more bouts within a 12 hour period. Some are also suffering from diarrhoea and are lethargic and off their food. Should an owner suspect that their dog may be suffering from this condition, they should immediately contact their local veterinary practice for advice. This is obviously a very unpleasant condition for dogs, and so the quicker owners act, the faster their dog can get treatment. There is some anecdotal evidence that affected dogs can transmit the disease to other dogs, which is why it is important that owners keep an eye out for any signs of the condition and then contact their veterinary practice if their dog begins to display any. The Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) at the University of Liverpool is currently investigating the potential outbreak, so it is also important that any vets that see a case pass the information on to this organisation to help them monitor the situation and then give the best advice on any future control measures. This is obviously very worrying for dog owners throughout the UK, but it is important that they remain calm, but vigilant, and contact their local vets if they have any concerns."

For more information and advice on dog welfare, please visit:- Vets4Pets.Com.